Great Moments in Local Government Tyranny

When her husband was driving Gloria Mata Alvarado to a doctor's appointment for her gastritis in August 2012, her stomach began hurting. For relief, Mata adjusted her seat belt. But a police officer saw her take off the belt and cited her. In court, Mata was ordered to pay $712, almost half the monthly income for her and her husband. (Both are on disability.) After telling the judge that she couldn't pay the fine because of her limited means, a judge graciously reduced the fine-to $600. Unable to pay, her license was ultimately suspended.